Japan Arrival Card 2026: Paper ED Card or Visit Japan Web — What You Actually Need
✍️ wicwic editorial team · verified Sep 28, 2026
The short answer
Japan still has a paper arrival card in 2026. It is called the disembarkation card for foreign nationals (ED card, 外国人出入国記録), and airlines still hand it out on the plane — with blank copies at the counters just before immigration if you miss it.
But most travelers never touch the paper anymore. Visit Japan Web (VJW) — the free official online system — turns your arrival details and customs declaration into QR codes you scan at immigration and customs. Both routes are officially accepted; VJW is simply faster.
What the Japan arrival card actually is
The ED card is a short paper form recording your passport details, flight, intended stay and first-night accommodation. It is separate from the customs declaration — the yellow paper form, or the customs section inside Visit Japan Web.
Japan simplified this card in April 2016 (fields such as nationality, sex, passport number and profession were removed, and the separate departure card was abolished). The card you see today is that simplified version.
Paper ED card vs Visit Japan Web
| Paper ED card | Visit Japan Web | |
|---|---|---|
| Where to get it | Handed out on the flight; counters before immigration | Register free online before departure |
| Customs declaration | Separate yellow paper form | Included — one QR covers immigration + customs (since Jan 2024) |
| Speed | Officer types in your details | Scan and go |
| Availability | All airports | QR accepted at 7 major airports (New Chitose, Narita, Haneda, Chubu Centrair, Kansai, Fukuoka, Naha); Joint Kiosks at Haneda, Narita T3, Kansai and Fukuoka |
Timeline
- 2001 — paper entry/exit records for Japanese citizens abolished
- April 2016 — ED card simplified; departure card abolished
- December 2021 — Visit Japan Web launched
- January 2024 — immigration QR and customs QR merged into one
- April 2024 — ED card no longer required for cruise passengers using ship-tourism landing permission
Who must fill it
Every foreign national arriving in Japan — including visa-free travelers, transit passengers and children. Each person needs their own card or VJW registration (families can be grouped under one VJW account).
Japanese citizens are exempt. Permanent residents and certain re-entry permit holders may also be exempt from the paper card — if you are unsure, follow the signs at immigration or ask the officer.
Common mistakes
- Swapping surname and given names — copy the order from your passport exactly
- Mixing up letter O and number 0 in the passport number
- Entering your departure flight instead of the flight arriving in Japan
- An incomplete first-night address — full hotel name, address and postal code
- Leaving it until the airport — fill it 1–2 days before departure and screenshot the QR code
Where to go next
- Step-by-step VJW walkthrough: Visit Japan Web guide
- Entry card vs visa, explained: visa vs arrival card
- Official link and field translations: Japan Visit Japan Web country page